Apparatus for cleaning cylindrical members

ABSTRACT

AN APPARATUS IS PROVIDED TO REMOVE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS FROM THE BEARING JOURNALS AND WHEEL SEATS OF RAILWAY AXLES. AXLES ARE MOVED THROUGH THE APPARATUS POSITION BY POSITION BY AN ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM, CONVEYOR ARRANGEMENT AND A MOVABLE TRANSFER CAR. AN AXLE IS MOVED TO A FIRST POSITION WHERE IT IS ROTATED BY ROLLERS. THE ENDS OF THE AXLE ARE SOAKED WITH HEATED SOLVENT AND THEN RUBBED BY ROTATING BRUSHINGS. FROM THERE THE AXLE IS MOVED TO A SECOND POSITION WHERE IT IS ROTATED AND FLUSHED WITH HEATED SOLVENT. DURING THE REMOVAL OPERATION, AXLES MAY BE LOCATED AT EACH OF THE POSITIONS AND MOVED SIMULTANEOUSLY TO THE NEXT POSITION BY THE TRANSFER CAR. MEANS ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO CENTER EACH AXLE WITHIN THE APPARATUS RELATIVE TO THE VARIOUS POSITIONS.

Sept. 20, 1971 H. E: GEORGE APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CYLINDR-ICAL MEMBERS Filed March 5, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 WWE Sept. 20, 1971 GEORGE 3,605,156

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CYLINDRICAL BEMBERS Filed March a. 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet Sept. 20, 1971 H. E. GEORGE APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS Filed March 5. 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 a fas.

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APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS Filed March 3, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet &

United States Patent Gfice 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus is provided to remove chemical compounds from the bearing journals and wheel seats of railway axles. Axles are moved through the apparatus position by position by an escapement mechanism, conveyor arrangement and a movable transfer car. An axle is moved to a first position where it is rotated by rollers. The ends of the axle are soaked with heated solvent and then rubbed by rotating brushings. From there the axle is moved to a second position where it is rotated and flushed with heated solvent. During the removal operation, axles may be located at each of the positions and moved simultaneously to the next position by the transfer car. Means are also provided to center each axle within the apparatus relative to the various positions.

This invention relates to an apparatus for removing protective chemical coatings from cylindrical members, particularly, from railway car axles.

After railway axles are machined they are often stored or shipped to other locations for assembly. In order to prevent rust on the machined surfaces, the axles are often sprayed with a thin coating of rust preventive compound such as paralketone. Removal of this compound prior to pressing railway wheels on the wheel seats of an axle and fitting hearings on the journals is a difficult and time consuming project. It has been determined that heated solvent sprayed under pressure for a given period of time has resulted in satisfactory compound removal. By additional brushing or scrubbing these areas during and after the spraying of the solvent, the compound removal time may be reduced. A further flushing spray of heated water, detergent, solvent and rust inhibitor is also desirable to prepare the axle for assembly. This process has also been successfully used in an apparatus which will automatically clean railway axles with a minimum amount of human effort.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an axle cleaning machine embodying features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view taken on line 3-3 illustrating the roller and feed mechanisms of the axle cleaning machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

Referring generally to the drawings, an axle cleaning machine 6 is illustrated in FIG. 1 having a gravity feed conveyor 8, a cleaning unit .10, a transfer car 12 and a discharge conveyor 14. A plurality of axles, e.g., 16, 16', are placed on the feed conveyor 8 and are moved one at a time by an escapement mechanism 18 to a waiting position A on the feed conveyor 8. The transfer car 12 then moves the axle from waiting position A to a brushing position B where the axle is rotated by a pair of 3,695,155 Patented SeptQZO, 1971 roller assemblies 20. At rushing position B, the ends of the rotating axle are sprayed with heated solvent forced through a supply pipe 22 and scrubbed by rotating brush assembly 24. The transfer car 12 then moves the axle from brushing position B to a rinsing position C where the axle is rotated by a pair of roller assemblies 26. The ends of the rotating axle are sprayed at this location with heated solvent forced through spray pipe 28. The cleaned axle is then moved from rinsing position C to a removal position D on the discharge conveyor 14 by means of the transfer car 12. From position D the axle may be removed from machine 6. As will be explained hereinafter, axles may be located at each of the positions A through C and simultaneously moved through machine 6 in alphabetical sequence from one position to the next position.

Referring now in greater detail to the accompanying drawings, the feed conveyor 8 may include a ramp 30 biased toward machine 6 for gravity feed. The ramp 30 is illustrated as a pair of spaced channel beams 32 (FIG. 3) secured to a base frame 34 of machine 6.

The escapement mechanism 18 (FIGS. 1 and 3) may be used to feed axles 16, 16, one at a time down ramp 30. A shaft 36 may transverse machine 6 and be journaled at its ends in pillow blocks 38 secured to base frame 34 for rotational movement. A known hydraulic cylinder and ram device 40 may be used to rotate the shaft 3 6 a given number of degrees, e.g., 60 degrees. The device 40 may be pivotally secured at one end 42 to base frame 34 and at the other end 44 to an arm 46 rigidly attached to shaft 36. A pair of escapement plates 48 may be rigidly secured to shaft 36 in spaced relationship. Each escapement plate 48 may have an angular retaining surface 50, a fiat pushing surface 52 and a curved separating surface 54. Rotational movement of shaft 3 6 in one direction forces pushing surfaces 52 against an axle 16 located on beams 32 forcing the axle 16 down the ramp 30 to waiting position A as retaining surfaces 50 move below the ramp level. As the pushing surfaces 52. move upward, the curved separating surfaces 54 move between the axle 16 being fed down ramp 30 and the following axle 16 thereby retaining axle 16.

Opposite rotational movement of shaft 36 forces axle 16 slightly backwards up ramp 30 until retaining surfaces 50 raise above ramp level. Axle 16' then rolls downwardly against retaining surfaces 50 of escapement plates 48. Axle 16 is then ready to be moved to waiting position A in a manner similar to axle 16. Projecting end stops 56 secured to beams 32 retain an axles at waiting position A.

The cleaning unit 10 may include two pairs of spaced roller assemblies 20 and 26 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) each locating given positions therebetween which are respectively brushing position B and rinsing position C. Each pair of roller assemblies 20, 26 may be divided into subunits located on either side of the transfer car 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3. Spaced shafts 58, 58, 60 and 60' may be journaled at their ends in pillow blocks 62 secured to frame 34. A roller 64 may be rigidly secured to each shaft 58, 58, 60 and 60" for corresponding rotational movement therewith. In the preferred location, the rollers 64 will contact the wheel seats 66 of an axle (FIG. 2, only one shown).

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the rollers 64 secured to each shaft 58, 58, 60 and 60" may be rotated by means of a known electric motor 6 8 secured to frame 34. A chain 70 engaged with a sprocket wheel 72 secured to motor 68 may actuate a driven sprocket wheel 74 secured to a shaft 76. Shaft 76 extends across machine 6 below the pairs of roller assemblies 20 and 26 and is journaled in bearings 78 and pillow blocks 80 at various locations along its length. A pair of corresponding driving sprocket wheels 82 are rigidly secured to each end of shaft 76.

A driven sprocket wheel 84 may be located on the outer end of each shaft 58, 58, 60 and 60'. A second sprocket wheel 86 may be secured outwardly of the first sprocket Wheel 84 on one shaft, e.g., 58 and 60, of each sub-unit of each pair of roller assemblies 20, 26 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. A chain 88 may interconnect the second sprocket wheels 86 of each sub-unit of each pair of roller assemblies 20, 26 and the driving sprocket wheels 82 connected to the ends of shaft 76. Rotation of shaft 76 results in corresponding rotational movement of shafts 58' and 60. Other chains 90 may interconnect the sprocket wheels 84 of each sub-unit of each pair of roller assemblies 20, 26 resulting in corresponding rotational movement of each roller 64 on each shaft 58, 58 60 and 60. If desired, a known slack take-up sprocket wheel 91 may be secured to base frame 34 and rotatably engaged with each chain 88 in a known manner. It is contemplated that other means of rotating the axles at the brushing and rinsing positions B and C may be used.

The axles are rotated at positions B and C in order to apply the solvent equally to all surfaces of the axles that are being cleaned as Well as to move these axles surfaces into contact with the brush assembly 24. Other means of contacting the relevant axle surfaces with solvent and the brush assembly are contemplated, e.g., drumlike sprays and brushes may be telescoped over the end surfaces of each axle being cleaned.

The transfer car 12 may be longitudinally moved along a given length of machine 6 and have a cradle 92 that is vertically extendable. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the car 12 may have a center frame section 94 located intermediate the opposed sub-units of the pairs of roller assemblies 20 and 26. Roller brackets 96 may be secured to opposed sides 98 of the center frame section 94 at each end thereof. A pair of carrier rollers 100 may be rotatably secured to each roller bracket 96 at a given angle away from the horizontal, e.g., 45 degrees. The rollers I100 may contact flat tracks 102 secured to a pair of channels 104 of base frame 34 which extend longitudinally along machine 6.

Center frame section 94 of car 12 may be longitudinally moved relative to tracks 102 by means of a known hydraulic cylinder and ram device 106 pivotally connected intermediate its ends to base frame 34. The ram 108 of device 106 is engaged with an arm 110 secured to section 94. Longitudinal movement of ram 108 moves car 12 backwards and forwards along machine 6.

Cradle 92 of car 112 may have three V blocks 112 located in spaced relationship. The V blocks 112 are spaced so that one V block may be located at each of the positions A, B, and C or the positions B, C, and D. The V blocks 112 are constructed so that an axle can be seated in each V configuration and lifted off of the rollers 64 of each pair of roller assemblies 20, 26 or off of the beams 32..

Vertical extension of the cradle 92 may be accomplished by a known hydraulic cylinder and ram device 114 pivotally mounted in center section 94 of car 12 intermediate the cradles ends. Rods 116 may be secured to each end of cradle 92 and slideably engaged in bushings 1118 secured to center section 94. The combination of spaced rods 116 and device 114 provides for smooth vertical cradle movement relative to center section 94.

In operation, the cradle 92 may be lowered by lowering ram 120 of device 114 thereby permitting V blocks 112 to pass under an axle located at any position A, B, C or D. The ram 1108 may be retracted respectively locating the three V blocks 112 under positions A, B, and C. Cradle '92 may then be raised by ram 120 lifting axles that may be located at positions A, B, and C upward away from their respective supporting structures, i.e., ramp 30, the pair of roller assemblies 20 and the pair of roller assemblies 26. The ram 108 may then be extended moving transfer car 12 along tracks 102 to a second position where the V blocks 112 are located relative to positions B, C, and D. Ram may then be retracted lowering the axles supported on the V blocks 1:12 into the second set of positions, i.e., B, C, and D. It can readily be seen that the cradle 92 may be so actuated to simultaneously move three axles from three positions to the preceding three positions.

When an axle reaches removal position D on discharge conveyor 14 in FIG. 1 it will roll down a pair of spaced channels 122 and be removed from machine 6.

Axle centering means 124 may be provided at brushing position B. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 centering means 124 may include pairs of spaced roller guide rods 126 and 128 on opposite sides of machine 6 slideably engaged in spaced guide brackets 130 and 132 mounted on base frame 34. Roller brackets 134 may interconnect the inner ends of roller guide rods 126, 128 of each pair. locator rollers 136 may be rotatably engaged with each roller bracket 134.

The pairs of roller guide rods 126 and 128 may be moved outwardly away from transfer car 12 by extension springs 138 connected at one end to a roller bracket 134 and at the other end to a brace 140 secured to base frame 34. Corresponding inward movement of roller guide rods 126 and 128 may be accomplished by means of a known hydraulic cylinder and ram device 142 pivotally mounted on base frame 34 intermediate and above the rods 126 and 128. A connecting collar 144 may interconnect each pair of spaced guide rods 126, 128 inter mediate their ends. An arm 146 may be pivotally connected at its lower end to each collar 144 intermediate the spaced guide rods 126, 128 and may be further pivotally connected at its upper end to base frame 34. A pulling arm 148 is rigidly secured to the upper end of each arm 146 at an angle of, for example, 90 degrees and faces inwardly toward transfer car 12. Flexible members 150, e.g., cable, may be secured to the inward end of each pulling arm 148 and trained on pulleys 152 rotatably engaged with base frame 34. The other end of each flexible member may be secured to an end of a pivotal lever 154. The lever 154 is pivotally mounted on frame 34 proximate device 142 intermediate the levers ends, and is used to apply an equal force to each flexible member 150. If desired, known screw adjusting means 156 may be attached within the length of each flexible member 150 between arms 148 and pivotal lever 154 to take up slack in members 150.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper end of pivotal lever 154 is pivotally connected to ram 158 of device 142 and connected to flexible member 150 of the left hand guide rods 126. Flexible member 150 for the right hand guide rods 128 is connected to the lower end of pivotal lever 154. Contraction of ram 158 of device 142 places tension on both flexible members 150 lifting pulling arms 148, thereby pivoting arms 146 and moving roller guide rods 126 and 128 inwardly toward transfer car 12. Extension of ram 158 of device 142 releases tension on flexible members 150 permitting extension springs 138 to pull roller guide rods 126 and 128 outwardly away from transfer car 12.

In operation as an axle reaches brushing position B in FIG. 1 the axle may be lowered by cradle 92 onto rollers 64. Device 142 of centering means 124 may be actuated as soon as an axle is resting on rollers 64 which are being rotated. The locator rollers 136 secured to guide rods 126, 128 move inwardly, as previously explained, against the ends of the axle, centering it relative to brush assembly 24 so that the wheel seats 66 are located over rollers 64 of shafts 58 and 58.

The brush assembly 24 (FIG. 2) may include a pair of sub-units 160 each having a shaft 162 journaled at its outer end in an end bearing 164 mounted on a support 166, which will be described hereinafter. The inner ends of the shafts 162 are inter-connected by a coupling 168.

Because both sub-units 160 are constructed in a similar manner only one will be described in detail. It is to be understood that the other sub-unit 160 may have like parts.

The shaft 162 (FIG. is rotatably engaged proximate coupling 168 in a housing 170 secured in inner and outer housing brackets 172 and 174 by known fasteners 176 and a collar 178. The housing brackets 172 and 174 are mounted on support 166 (FIG. 2). Bushings 180 may be located in each end of housing 170. A second collar 182 may be rigidly secured to shaft 162 outwardly of outer housing bracket 174 by known fasteners 184.

A small brush 186 is mounted on shaft 162 outwardly of the second collar 182. Brush inserts 188 and spacers 190 may be alternately located on shaft 162 to form the small brush 186. Three inch outside diameter spacers 190 and six inch outside diameter brush inserts 188 have been used to makeup small brush 186 which may be approximately nine inches long. Brush inserts 188 may be of a known type such as a Korfil P Brush manufactured by Monarch.

A brush adapter 192 may be threadedly engaged with shaft 162 and retained thereto by known fasteners (not shown). Adapter 192 may be used to retain the outer section of small brush 186. Shaft 162 and adapter 192 may have respective mating shoulders 194 and 196 for relative location. A large brush 198, e.g., twelve inches long and having an eight-inch outside diameter, may be made of alternately spaced brush inserts 200 of a type similar to those used in small brush 186 and spacers 202, which may have a four and one-quarter inch outside diameter. A cup-like retaining spacer 204 may be used to retain the outer section of large brush 198. Cup-like retainer 204 may be held in place by a pair of jam nuts 206 threadedly engaged with shaft 162. If desired, the rotatable brushes 186 and 198 may be eliminated and contoured steel wool or steel bristled brushes, for example, may be rigidly secured to support 166.

Frame 166 may be pivotally connected to channels 208 of base frame 34 at 210 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Spaced counter Weights 212 may be secured to support 166 to counteract part of the weight of brush assembly 24. A known hydraulic cylinder and ram device 214 may be pivotally secured to base frame 34 and support 166. Downward movement of ram 216 of device 214 (FIG. 1) pivotally raises brush assembly 24 while retraction of ram 216 along with the force of gravity pivotally lower brush assembly 24.

The interconnected shafts 162 of sub-units 160 may be rotated by means of a known type motor 218 mounted on support 166. Sprocket wheels 220 and 222 respectively secured to motor 218 and a shaft 162 may be interconnected by a known chain 224. Since shaft 162 and motor 218 are located on the same support 166, movement of support 166 has little or no effect upon the interconnection of motor 218 and shaft 162.

In operation brushes 186 and 198 rotated by motor 218 may be pivoted downwardly by device 214 into contact with an axle in brushing position B (FIGS. 1 and 2). The small brushes 186 contact the wheel seats 66 of the axle (fragmentarily shown in FIG. 2) in position B while the large brushes 198 contact the bearing journals 226 of the axle.

Spray pipes 22 and 28 may have a three quarter of e.g., of an inch, /2 inch apart, may be made in spray pipes 22 and 28 over the bearing journals and wheel seats 226 and 66.

Heated solvent, e.g., Aromatic Kleen Solv or 480 Ink Oil furnished by Big Ben Chemical Co., or Comm. Solv 7 furnished by Commerce Industries Chemical Co., at temperatures from F. to 220 F., depending upon the solvent, may be forced through pipes 22 and 28 by known pump means (not shown). If desired, the solvent may be used full strength at brushing location B and in combination with water, detergent and rust inhibitor at rinsing position C. The solvent may be fed through each spray pipe 22, 28 at a rate of, for example, 1 to 3 gallons per minute at each end thereof.

At brushing position B a centered axle may be first presoaked with heated solvent spray for up to three minutes and then brushed and soaked for up to five minutes. For axles at a temperature of about 70 F. a one and threequarter minute presoak and a two and one-quarter minute brushing and soaking has been found adequate for cleaning. It should be noted that as the temperature of the axles is decreased, the presoaking and brushing cycles should be lengthened. Higher solvent temperatures are also found desirable to clean colder axles and reduce cycle time.

In operation machine 6 may be used to clean axles in the following manner. A plurality of axles, e.g., 16, 16', may be deposited on beams 32 of feed conveyor 8. Escapement mechanism 18 feeds one axle at a time to waiting position A. Cradle 92 of transfer car 12 is retracted so that a V block 112 is positioned under waiting position A. Cradle 92 is raised and the axle is moved from waiting position A to brushing position B. The axle may be centered by centering device 124 after being lowered into place on rollers 64. Rollers 64 are rotated, rotating the axle which is then presoaked by heated solvent flowing through spray pipe 22. Brushes 18-6 and 198 are then moved into contact with the rotating axle to clean the bearing journals and wheel seats 226 and 66.

The lowered cradle 92 is again retracted and another axle which was fed by escapement mechanism 18 is lifted from waiting position A along with the axle that is located at brushing position B. The two axles are respectively moved to brushing position B and rinsing position C where they are rotated. The axle at rinsing position C is sprayed with heated solvent from spray pipe 28 while the axle at position B is being presoaked and brushed as previously described.

The lowered cradle is again retracted and another axle located by escapement mechanism 18 is moved from waiting position A along with the axles at positions B and C to respective positions B, C, and D. The axle at discharge position D rolls down discharge conveyor 14 while axles at positions C and B are respectively rinsed, and presoaked and brushed. Machine 6 continues to process axles in the above manner until no more axles are supplied or until it is turned off. Spray pans (not shown) may be provided along the base of machine 6 below position B and again below position C to trap solvent being sprayed on the axles. The trapped solvent may be filtered, reheated and again sprayed on subsequent axles.

As can be readily seen, machine 6 may be entirely automatic requiring human effort only during loading and unloading. Sprayed solvent is primarily used to remove rust preventive compounds, e.g., paralketone, that have been placed on the axles after machining and prior to assembly. Brushing time has been reduced or eliminated in certain cases by increasing the solvents rate of flow. For example, paralketone of an inch to of an inch with of an inch tears has been almost entirely removed from an axle at a temperature of approximately 20 F. by spraying Aromatic Kleen Solv at approximately F. The spray was at about 7.2 gallons per minute for about five minutes. In another instance the above spray was found effective for a three-minute interval on an axle at a temperature of about 40 F.

From the above it can be seen that an increase in solvent flow may eliminate the need for the brushing step. The flushing or rinsing at position C may also be accomplished at position B by spray pipe 22 or by relocating spray pipe 28 relative to position B.

What is claimed:

1. In an axle cleaning machine; the combination of a first station comprising axle rotating means, a second station spaced from the first station and comprising other axle rotating means, means at said first station for applying a solvent to said axle at spaced journal bearing surfaces thereof and at spaced wheel seat surfaces adjacent respective journal bearing surfaces, means at said first station for brushing said surfaces as the axle is rotated while said surfaces are contacted by said solvent, means at said first station engageable with said axle for positioning it lengthwise thereof to align said surfaces with said brush means, means at said second station for directing a flushing stream of fluid against said surfaces while said axle is rotated by said other rotating means, and means for moving said axle to said first station, then to said second station, and then from said second station to a conveyor for removing the axle from the machine.

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the positioning means are engageable with oppositely facing ends of the axle and wherein means are provided for urging said positioning means against said ends under equalized pressure.

3. A machine according to claim 1, wherein means are provided for urging said brush means against said surfaces while the axle is rotated by the rotating means at the first station and for urging the brush means out of contact with said surfaces.

4. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said solvent is at a temperature in the range of about 130 F. to about 220 F.

5. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said flushing stream of fluid comprises water, solvent, detergent and rust inhibitor.

6. In a machine for cleaning peripheral surfaces on the ends of a cylindrical member, the combination of means at a given station for applying solvent to said pcripheral surfaces, means at a given station for rubbing said peripheral surfaces while said peripheral surfaces are contacted by said solvent, means at a given station for 10- cating said cylindrical member and said means for rubbing relative to each other so that said peripheral surfaces on the ends are contacted by said means for rubbing, means at a given station for applying a flushing fluid to said peripheral surfaces to remove said solvent, and means for moving said cylindrical member to and away from said given stations.

7. A machine according to claim 6 wherein said means at a given station for locating said cylindrical member and said means for rubbing relative to each other contact opposed ends of said cylindrical member and move said cylindrical member lengthwise.

8. A machine according to claim 7, wherein said solvent is at a temperature in the range of about 130 F. to about 220 F. and said flushing fluid includes detergent and rust inhibitor.

9. A machine according to claim 7, wherein means is located at certain of said given stations to rotate said cylindrical member.

10. A machine according to claim 9, wherein said means for rubbing said peripheral surfaces is movable into and out of contact with said peripheral surfaces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,751,617 6/1956 McLaggan 1588 2,979,196 4/1961 Harmon 15-88X 3,105,255 10/1963 Gannon 1588 3,218,658 11/1965 Collins et al. 15-88 EDWARD L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

